Romo claims he's evolving as a quarterback. He's 11-14 in December for his career, but 3-1 this December. If Romo closes the regular season with big-time performance that leads the Cowboys into the playoffs, it would be evidence that he is capable of leading the team to postseason success. If Romo plays poorly and the Cowboys lose, it would add ammunition for his critics, who believe Dallas will never win big with Romo.

It's getting late for Romo. He's 32 years old, with one playoff victory. If Romo loses Sunday, to a division rival led by a 22-year-old sensation like Robert Griffin III, it won't bode well for Romo's chances to ever reach a Super Bowl unless he buys a ticket.

Johnson better think long and hard about the future of his franchise. Ryan is a proven defensive coach, but there's no evidence he's an offensive guru. The Jets clearly need someone other than Tannenbaum calling the shots from a personnel standpoint. But that person should not be Ryan, either. Let Ryan coach, and bring in a proven personnel guy who can bring in more offensive weapons and will have the power to overrule Ryan on personnel decisions. If Ryan is not comfortable with that setup, Johnson should let him walk.

3. The Bears need a playoff berth to clear up uncertainty about coach Lovie Smith's future. Chicago will make the playoffs Sunday with a win over the Lions and a Minnesota Vikings loss. If that happens, Smith won't be going anywhere. If the Bears lose, he could be gone. I think that would be a mistake.

The Bears haven't had a losing season since 2009, and they reached the NFC championship game in the 2010 season. It's not as though the bottom has fallen out in Chicago the way it has in places like Philadelphia and San Diego, where it's time for Andy Reid and Norv Turner, respectively, to move on.

The Bears still play hard for Smith, he's taken them to one Super Bowl, and there's no reason to believe he could never get them back. However, Bears fans seem to have grown tired of this marriage. If the Bears miss the playoffs, what happens to Smith is going to be interesting.

4. It won't be a Happy New Year for a host of coaches. Sunday will mean farewell for many. Reid, Turner and Romeo Crennel (Kansas City Chiefs) are almost certainly coaching their final games with their current teams. Ryan, Smith, Chan Gailey (Buffalo Bills), Mike Mularkey (Jacksonville Jaguars), Mike Munchak (Tennessee Titans), Ron Rivera (Carolina Panthers) and Pat Shurmur (Cleveland Browns) are all on the hot seat. Look for a minimum of five of those coaches to be fired by this time next week.

5. A tight MVP race will be influenced by what happens Sunday. A huge game against the Packers would help Adrian Peterson's case, especially if the Vikings win and make the playoffs. If Peterson doesn't win it, then Peyton Manning or Tom Brady probably will.

It's hard to see a defensive player like J.J. Watt of the Texans winning the award, not with so many offensive players having huge years.

6. We'll have a new Super Bowl champ, unless everything falls right for the Giants. The Cowboys weren't the NFC East team that collapsed this December; it was the Giants. After having lost two straight, the Giants have to beat the Eagles on Sunday just to maintain their slim playoff chances. If the Bears, Vikings or Cowboys win, the Giants will be eliminated, no matter what they do against the Eagles.

Tom Coughlin wants the Giants to play for pride Sunday. But it looks like too little, too late. If the Giants don't make the playoffs, every other playoff team will be glad not to face them.